Fantasy World Creations

Location: Herr Klein's Estate - Hanako's Room
Date: Day 8 - 6 AM

You woke to the sounds of someone knocking roughly on the door. It was one of your soldiers. Trudy and Minette beside you stirred awake as well.

"Frau Hero! Someone's headed to our estate! A wagon, two armed guards at the front, and two at the rear."

Your two companions beside you, being trained soldiers, had already jumped out of bed, each of them quickly donning their uniforms, and beginning to strap on their weapons.

Hanako rolled out of bed as quickly as she was able and threw on some clothes. "Were we expecting anyone...?" she said, grabbing the sword she had taken to carrying around since learning how to use it. "I guess let's go down and see who it is."

Hanako left her room and moved to the foyer, hoping that whomever was here wasn't going to cause trouble. I suppose whatever it is we'll handle it.

"We... aren't expecting anyone..." With that the three of you left your room.

Heading out to the entrance of the mansion, you see from the window the wagon that was described. They stopped at the entrance of the estate, and it was then that the lead rider mounted off her horse, and proceeded to hand a letter to one of your soldiers who was stationed at the front.

Some words were exchanged, and eventually your soldier hurried back towards the estate's front door, and opening it, and seeing you, he handed you the letter.

"They are from Frau Sofia. Apparently they bring some small gifts with her."

Opening the letter it read:

To Herr Klein,

It is a pleasure to have met you and your representatives the days before. In regards to that, I, Sofia Leiningen, send this letter of introduction.

Due to the business deals we had the day prior, I have decided to gift upon you and your estate a small token of thanks. Likewise, the new housekeepers you have requested, the four who are delivering this, will be the first among a few others who would ensure your estate is in good condition while you take care of your own personal matters.

Within the next few days, I will be personally hand-selecting those who would be a good fit to run the estate and help with your business dealings. Likewise, I am in the process of finding a suitable candidate as we discussed earlier.

-Sofia Leiningen

The soldier continued.

"Shall I let them in?"

"Oh, that was a fast turn around. Yes let them in please." Hanako said, a little surprised. She wasn't expecting Sofia to send people over so soon.

She turned to Trudy once the soldier had departed and whispered "Let's keep the things we learned yesterday between the two of us for now. The less people know, the better."

If Sofia's people were coming in so soon, it may be slightly problematic. They would likely report things back to her in some fashion or another, and along with that their presence may be unnerving for the others at the estate.

The four were all soldiers, and like the previous time Sofia's slaves were on your grounds, their collars were different than the ones Klein had used. There was one of them who lead the group, signaling to the others behind her when to move the wagon. Judging from her outfit, this one was a soldier. She wore a uniform like the rest, though, hers seemed to be more decorated. You also noticed that she openly carried one of the firearms Sofia had been developing.

Once she was near, she dismounted, along with the rest. She then saluted as she spoke out in a loud voice.


Trudy widened her eyes.

"Captain Dietrich?!" Trudy exclaimed beside you.

A hint of recognition appeared in the new soldier's eyes.

"Trudy? That is you..." The captain wanted to speak further, but she instead focused on you.

"We would like to show Herr Klein the contents in the wagon. If his soldiers can help us, that would be much appreciated."

"Hm, oh right. Yeah let's take a look and get it inside." Hanako said, wondering if Sofia's underlings knew that Klein was very much dead.

She leaned closer to Trudy before walking over to the wagon "You know this one?"

As Hanako came closer she extended a hand toward the woman Trudy had called Captain Dietrich. "Hey, how's it going?"

"She was our company's captain. I thought she had died when the demons attacked us, but she must have been captured and enslaved like the rest of us. Captain Elyse Dietrich is her name." Trudy whispered back.

The captain must have heard Trudy's attempt at whispering, as she spoke up.

"I'm no longer a captain. Frau Leiningen knows this, as should Herr Klein. We are equals." She took your proffered hand.

"Now... Is the master there? We are to introduce ourselves... Though, it's a pleasure to meet fellow soldiers." She looked over to your curiously, perhaps wondering if you were Isikawan. Her eyes widened as she looked over to both of your necks.

"I had heard Herr Klein has a... inclincation to use the 'best' slavery tools... Does he not use collars?" Elyse asked off-handedly.

At the same time of the conversation, the other armed slaves along with a couple of your soldiers went over to the wagon, uncovering a couple of boxes. Some of them looked rather large. And they began to move them.

"The wagon and horses are part of gift to Herr Klein as well, however, I was told to request the ability to use them for errands as we need. Likewise, as this is a temporary arrangement, I assume Herr Klein knows that these slaves Sofia will be bringing, including me, are not to be assaulted in any way." She was trying to speak respectfully, though her voice had an edge to it when she said assaulted.

"Can't see why we'd do that." Hanako said, shrugging. "As far as Herr Klein and his preference for quality tools, let's head inside and talk while things get unloaded."

Hanako motioned for Trudy to lead the way and guide Dietrich inside. As they walked, she wondered to herself if it was a good idea to reveal that Klein was dead and that everyone in the estate was free. Well, practically everyone. If push came to shove she could always just make the woman forget what she would learn, but Trudy seemed to have a great deal of trust in her so it likely wouldn't be required.

Location: Herr Klein's Estate - Lobby
Date: Day 7 - 6:30 AM

Soon enough, the wagon was unloaded. Minette and Wendy had begun going through the boxes as well. Wendy's eyes at least opened up wide.

"Will ya look at that!" She exclaimed. "More of those 'firearms' darling Hanako brought with her yesterday... And oh! Different types too... Oh Minette, please let me look at those? Please?"

Minette had smiled, but she called out to you before you left.

"I'll make sure... to let you know what everything else in here are... Hanako..."

---

Location: Herr Klein's Estate - Private Office
Date: Day 7 - 6:30 AM

Trudy decided to follow after you, as she herself knew the captain. Once the three of you were in the room, Elyse spoke up.

"Is... that girl without the pants really a soldier?" Elyse asked curiously. "Everyone treats it like it's normal... And again, Herr Klein will not be ordering any of that for any slave Frau Leiningen brings here. I assume that letter to Herr Klein speaks of it already... Anyways, how about you...? You're Isikawan aren't you? Your master does things like that too, huh..." She seemed like she wanted to say more, but she chose not to. Though, her tone of voice was one of disgust.

"Thank you!" she called back to Minette.

---

Hanako shrugged. "Nobody tells her to do it, it's just something she does. Herr Klein won't be ordering anyone to do anything either because he's dead." she said, matter-of-factly. In the walk between the front door and the private room Hanako had decided that honesty was the best policy with this woman so she wasn't going to bother trying to dance around the issue.

"I'm not Isikawan either, I'm Japanese. I can see where you might be confused though, I've been told they look a lot like me. One last thing as well, I have no master, nobody here does and what do you mean by 'does things like that too'?" Hanako continued, not bothering to put on airs. "I guess that's technically three things."

Hanako studied the woman, she seemed a little uptight but that may have been reasonable considering the circumstances.

Lady has a real stick up her ass...

Location: Herr Klein's Estate - Private Office
Date: Day 7 - 6:30 AM

"Herr Klein is dead?" She stared carefully at you and Trudy, and you noticed her move her arms in a way that made it easier for her to reach for the firearm she had equipped.

"I take it... this is what Frau Leiningen meant when she said to 'accept and believe what the slaves of Herr Klein tells you'." She relaxed her posture, then made it a point to sit on one of the chairs.

"As brilliant and driven our chief executive is, sometimes her flare for the dramatic are really unnecessary. She should have told us and the others with me."

"Isikawans are prized slaves, you see. I just figured Herr Klein would have dressed up a slave in a soldier's uniform. Some men have some strange fetishes. Frau Leiningen spares her slaves from that though, and apart from our forced servitude, I think we are treated better than most other slaves from the other nobles and companies. But what's Japanese? A new country summoned here? Don't tell me the rumoured hero summoning Herr Klein did actually went through." She laughed. "Our demonic overlords would be at the doorsteps right now if that were the case."

Trudy squirmed, and seemed uncomfortable, but she chose not to say anything.

"But I heard Klein chose to avoid unnecessary attention in the end..." She began to narrow her eyes. "... and that was also when I heard that he had simply shut himself away and required the services of the Birkensen Trading Company... So... What other information have I lead been astray in?"

Hanako shrugged. "I guess it all depends on what you really want to know." she said casually, perhaps it would have been better not to say she was Japanese but the cat was out of the bag now. "Trudy knows you, and I assume trusts you and while that should be good enough for me I have a lot of people here to protect. So how good are you at keeping secrets?"

It would be good to have this woman on board, she seemed to hold a pretty high rank among Sofia's slaves and presumably would have her confidence. However blind trust was never really a good option.

Location: Herr Klein's Estate - Private Office
Date: Day 7 - 6:30 AM

"Hmm. Just curiosity I suppose. It doesn't change the fact that Frau Leiningen herself was the one who assigned me here. I owe a lot to that woman, so I won't just blatantly disregard what she wills of me."

"And yes, Lieutenant Trudy Werner was a fine officer." Elyse said looking towards Trudy and giving a simple nod. She then turned her eyes towards you, however, and stared at you straight in the eye unwavering.

"As for secrets, unlike my employer, I care not much for them. That said, I am first and foremost one of Frau Leiningen's aides, for me to be personally sent here, is something quite remarkable. But I will not question her wishes. If I am to be here to oversee the operations of the Birkensen Trading Company's slaves, then that is what I will do."

"I'll let you retain plausible deniability then" Hanako said, returning Elyse's gaze. "It would be bad though, for the demons to come snooping around here. Take that as you will."

Hanako found a seat herself. "I'll can tell you that we wont be here for too much longer though. Once all of Klein's slaves have been safely moved from his various holdings we will be leaving Refedora for a while and seeking asylum elsewhere. We'll be assisting your master with some business transactions as part of a deal that would allow our flight to hopefully go unnoticed. This is where your people come into play." She leaned back in her chair. Sofia will be maintaining the illusion that Klein is still alive and well and going about his business here, as well as managing his assets for a cut of the profits. What exactly you and your men will be doing, I haven't the faintest. I only knew Klein for less than a day and he didn't make a good impression, so his routines are beyond me."

Hanako crossed one leg over the other and waited for Elyse's reply.

Elyse sighed.

"It wouldn't surprise me that demons shouldn't be around. It's similar to the Birkensen Trading Company as well. Frau Leiningen did mention that more of her slaves would be coming by to fill other roles within the next few days. I didn't realize that included a 'Klein' as well. I was looking at a potential roster of people Leiningen was thinking of sending over here, it involved a couple of accountants, along with a few individuals known to be rather sly. The three others with me, though they look like any other slave from Frau Leiningen, they are actually soldiers too, though, part of their orders were to come here without their uniform, and learn from Klein's current staff on procedures of maintenance around the estate."

"I found it strange that some of Frau Leiningen's most-skilled slaves and workers would be reassigned to the Klein Company, or at least, Klein's estate. But... with the designs that my master has, I'm beginning to see why she would do such a thing."

"All of Klein's slaves... I believe that's almost a thousand? Give or take a hundred. I'm not aware of any of your other plans, nor do you have to tell me, but moving that many in a short period will draw some eyes. I hope you have a plan in place."

"Hopefully the time frame won't be too short that it draws suspicion. More or less they are being 'reassigned' to another location where there are no external overseers. From there we move them to the ships Sofia so generously sold us and we will be on our way." Hanako explained.

"We can put your people in touch with the folks that take care of the day to day around here so they'll be able to keep up the ruse. Thank you for your diligence. Hopefully this all moves us toward a free Refedora."

Elyse sighed.

"Yes... The ships in Bruchburg. Nevermind moving the people to that port town... That dockyard has been shut-down since our government fell. The ships are docked, but are unused. The demons have their own people there as well. But... If you can actually pull it off, I will commend you."

"A free Refedoria is still some distance away... But... It seems the new leadership of the Klein Company will indeed make that happen. If there's anything you think I can help with, let me know. I became a soldier to protect my land, and my people, if it helps free our country, I'll gladly help." Elyse nodded approvingly.

"I'm Elyse Dietrich. Once a captain of the 31st Company, 7th Battalion. And what is your name?" She asked, her hand reaching out into a handshake.

---

After introduction

There was a knock on the door, a short moment later, it opened, Minette appearing.

"We did a count... 10 light magic-pistols, 15 normal pistols, 5 blunderbuss, 5 cylinder rifles, 5 culverins, 4 double hackbuts, 10 muskets, and alot of ammo."

"One armored carriage too. But that would draw too much suspicion. I'm actually to report if Herr Kl- Well... Hanako, would like it included built in one of the ships we provided, or if you would prefer a team to attempt to build it here, in the estate, or near any of the other sites Klein owns."

"And one more thing..." She pulled the pistol out from its carrier, and handed it to you. "I'm to train any of your soldiers willing to learn this."

"I had heard the old master of this place kept a dungeon underground? Where gunfire won't so easily be heard?" She grinned.

"You can call me Hanako, it's nice to meet you Elyse." Hanako said, shaking Elyse's hand. "Supposedly Klein was in the process of securing the ability to do overseas trade with other countries and I had hoped to make use of that. However, if it comes to it I have other more subtle ways of making things work."

It was then Minette walked in and gave her report.

"You brought us a tank?" Hanako said astounded. "I'll have to think about where it should be assembled. The number of firearms you brought is higher than what I expected, but I'm not going to look a gift horse in the mouth. The dungeon would be a good place to set up a firing range, and I would be quite thankful for your training. I know how they operate, but I would be lying if I said I was a marksman in any way. "

"A tank? I am not familiar with that word. But yes, we brought you an armored carriage, complete with a specialized cannon that our engineers developed."

"Well... Lets gather up some of your soldiers, and let's get that underground dungeon setup properly. I'll work with one of your soldiers to figure out the logistics. There's a chance we may need to send some soldiers out a quick shopping trip, but we'll see if we can jury-rig something well enough for your group."

"Well, Hanako, whether or not you're the hero is not my concern, I was never as devout as a few of my soldiers." She glanced at Trudy specifically. "But if you can help our country... Then I'll help out as I can. I'll take a look at the dungeon." With that she saluted and began to leave.

QuoteLet me know plans for the day. Also I may be creating a new Training sheet for your NPCs, to keep it all in one place

"I look forward to working with you." Hanako said, and gave a polite 45 degree bow.

When Elyse had left the room, Hanako turned to Trudy and Minette and sighed. "She seems intense, but capable. I guess let's figure out who has the most aptitude with these guns. I'd like to hang on to one of the cylinder rifles for personal use but we should get as many people trained on these as possible. Also, lets see if we can work out a way to make more of them, and the ammunition as well."

She crossed her arms, thinking. "I've got a little idea for a magic spell we can use alongside the guns, especially the rifles. Is it possible to teach other people new spells?"

"You must know the spell yourself... Then teaching it to others, yes, that's possible. What do you plan?"

"Well, in my world the gun is the weapon of choice for every countries military. You can kill from a distance with them if you're trained properly, and some guns, special kinds of rifles are particularly good at distance shooting. The problem is they're loud. Really loud. To combat that in my world we have devices that you attach to the barrel of a gun to reduce the noise they make. I figured that magic could be use similarly to either make the gun silent, or make an area where sound doesn't get out. An entire team of sharpshooters could quietly hit their targets from a distance that way."

It may have been a bit of a farfetched plan, but magic could probably be more effective than any silencer they made on earth. Perhaps, if the spell was strong enough it would make them as quiet as the movies would have you believe.

"Anyway, I can work on that later. Lets go see what we can do to help out setting up a firing range in the dungeon."

---

"Like... an Elven Archer... Silent and long ranged. I... talked to the slave that you brought yesterday... Carol is her name? She seems to be skilled with magic... All of us soldiers can use it as well. But yes... we'll need to learn that spell."

---

You had helped setup the firing range, and do some cleanup in the dungeon. Many of the other ex-slaves helped out as well. Refreshments were provided constantly as everyone helped put away the various cages, along with creating target boards as practice. Eventually, Elyse had begun drilling all of the soldiers on the proper handling and usage of the weapon. She was tough on them, though, it seemed as if the soldiers were used to it.

You noticed she was just slightly more gentle in her interactions with you however. You managed to pick up handling the weapon along with shooting it rather quickly. You even surprised yourself.

QuoteYou have 2 hours left of free training. You can go beyond the free 8 hours if you roll a Constitution check included with your Training check.

Trainings
Klein's Signature: 4/4
Firearms Proficiency: 1/8

---

Location: Herr Klein's Estate - Private Office
Date: Day 7 - 6:00 PM

It was around dinner time, when one of the soldiers notified that someone was headed to the front of the estate. Elyse had commented that it could have been one of the new sets of slaves that Frau Leiningen was going to be bringing, and that was eventually confirmed when Elyse came up with you to the front. Elyse herself went out of the estate, and waved at them.

There was a man sitting on a horse, along with a couple of guards with him. It was only a week ago when you were first summoned into this new world. But you recognized him immediately. It looked just like Klein.

"Jesus he could be his twin." Hanako muttered. "I didn't think she would send him so soon. A certain measure of caution needs to be exercised if he's gonna be meandering around the estate, Klein was not well loved by the people here. My understanding was that he was particularly unpleasant to the women. He's probably not going to find that a lot of people want to speak with him outside of those that already know him."

Hopefully the mere presence of someone that looked like their former tormentor wouldn't cause issues with her people, but trauma runs deep and his presence wouldn't go unnoticed.

The man had eventually gotten off the horse when he was let in, along with the other slaves behind him. If anything, from what you recall of Klein, this 'Klein' carried himself with an air of uppity.

Both Trudy and Minette were perplexed, Trudy's eyes was wide in shock. While Minette's was suspicious. Looking around, many of the other slaves and soldiers were in a similar state. Though, there were some with open hostility.

"Is that... the old master? Didn't we kill him?" One had said.

"I lit the damn fucker." One of the others whispered fiercely. Many of them turned towards you for guidance however.

Soon enough Klein and the three others behind him stood in front of you.

"Oh what's this? Why the hell aren't my slaves in their collars!" His voice boomed loudly, as he glared at the crowd. Some of the people around you tensed up, some of the soldiers had begun to move their hands to the hilt of their weapons.

Hanako turned to the gathered soldiers before things got out of hand. "Hold on guys he's just a body double here to throw off suspicion."

Quote"Oh what's this? Why the hell aren't my slaves in their collars!"

"And an asshole apparently."

She sauntered over to the ersatz Klein, hands in pockets, doing her best yankee impression. "Hey guy, you really don't wanna pull that shit here. One, these folks are free. Two, you're Klein in name only and outside of making it look like you're him when we have guests you don't give these people orders. Three, you're making a real bad first impression."

The man eyed you, still glaring. Then a moment after that he roared in laughter.

"Well, I guess I can play the part if I can rile everyone up that easily. First impression aside, having your people treat with me hostility is probably a good thing." He laughed again as he shrugged, and then bowed. "But, their execution is off. Less hostility, and more fear, if you really want to sell the part."

"Aldric Peters." He said as he reached his hand over in a handshake gesture. "With the three others behind me, we're part of the Ludwig Acting Troupe. At least... was, until we were disbanded a few months ago."

"A certain company got in touch with me though. It was a few weeks ago that Frau Leiningen offered me a job. And brought along my old associates too. Finally got the summons this morning!" He eyed you carefully. "Don't worry, I'm up to speed with the situation."

Hanako relaxed her posture and took the man's hand with a sigh. "You certainly are convincing. Weeks ago you say? Sofia is a cunning woman."

That woman is more dangerous than I estimated. I'll remember that.

"We could probably arrange for the people that will be most frequently with you during our time here to work on their acting. We don't have a solid timetable yet for our departure but I expect it to be no more than a month or two at most. Maybe less, depending."

She gestured back to the soldiers that were there. "Even if they need to act fearfully we should probably do a proper introduction, I'd hate for your stay to be nothing but hostility, Klein was... really not well liked."

Probably an understatement.

"I think once everything gets settled in we'll be glad to have you though Aldric. Or should I say Herr Klein? The challenge of keeping up appearances was admittedly going to become a problem. Shall we go in?"

"Yeah, a few weeks ago, who knew that having demons run the government, kinda shuts down theatre? Tried making it work for a few months, but things fell apart when we had a demon client and ordered one of the actors put to death, and thought it would be 'funny'..."

"Anyways, one of Frau Leiningen found the small room I had rented, rather roughly too, as I thought the armed man who came to me was some sort of slaver. But, he handed me a letter instead... After a few meetings, and a relocation, here I am!"

"I'll check with your people, though. Anyone with any acting experience would be a good fit to 'work the front'. I'll need to familiarize myself with Klein's schedule as well... Prep-work, you see? And I'd like to talk with as many of the Klein's slaves as well. Get his exact mannerisms, and what-not. I'd prefer with the slaves that interacted with him the most... But, I supposed that would take some time too. Seeing my face probably won't be a good memory for anyone!"

"But yes, let's move indoors. Talking out here isn't always the safest."

He grinned when you mentioned Herr Klein.

"That's the spirit! Now if I remember correctly... Hanako, right? Well, Hanako. Has everyone eaten supper yet? Great way to break the ice. Not to mention get some grub in everyone! Having a full stomach always people be in a good mood." He placed a hand on his rather large belly.

"Have to keep up appearances, you see?" He winked.

"I do suppose it's getting to be about that time, please after you." she said, motioning him toward the door. She gave a thumbs up to Trudy and Minette, hoping it would allay their fears and get them to calm everyone else down.

QuoteGo ahead and roll Diplomacy to see how much you help out in that process. Aldric will be doing the same.

During the dinner, Aldric did his best to calm people down, and to get everyone to accept that he himself wasn't Klein. A lot of people eventually warmed up, however, those that were 'called' into Klein's room the most simply refused to talk or even interact with him. It was those people that Aldric needed the most to talk with as well, but he chose not to push further on the subject.

Soon enough, dinner was done, and even Aldric and his theatre troupe offered to help cleaning and putting away the dishes. Soon enough, most people cleared out, while Aldric and his team finished with the cleaning.

The large and fat man wiped the sweat from his brow.

"Lively bunch of people if I say so myself." Aldric said. "A couple, still a bit hesitant, but what can you expect, right? They'll come around!" He grinned. "So boss, we got a spare room in this estate for me and my boys?"

"Ah yeah, let's see what we can find for you. I'd put you in the master bedroom but that probably wouldn't do you any favors winning people over." Hanako said. It would probably be a while before the people that suffered most from Klein's abuses would talk with his double, but hopefully things would work out in the end if Aldric made an effort.

Hanako incidentally took the actors on a short tour of the house while looking for a free room. Along the way she mentioned that there a meeting Klein had scheduled for tomorrow with someone to discuss buying a mine and the work rights for a lumber mill. She mentioned she wasn't inclined to have the mine purchased, and would prefer that the lumber mill that was planned needed to have only "Klein's" slaves working there.

"One more thing" she said, as she was going over what was coming up tomorrow. "I absolutely must be present for all the upcoming meetings. It's not that I don't trust you to get things done, but if for some reason things aren't going our way... I have ways to rectify that. You can justify me being there by saying I'm an assistant or something to that effect."

"Finer place than the small room I had for sure..." The other actors nodded as they all continually glanced around the place.

"An assistant? Sure thing boss, let's just say you're the one helping take notes on the meetings, things like that."

Soon enough an empty room was found for the four of them, and they started making themselves comfortable.

QuoteNote any other plans you have for the rest of the day!

"That works." she replied.

After a room was found and Hanako left Aldric and his people to their own devices, she thought it might be a good idea to check up on Falah and make sure she was getting along well. She wandered over to the captive demon princess' room and greeted the guards, asking if things were fine.